Common Truck Driver Errors Causing Whittier Truck Accidents

In the largest study ever undertaken of truck accident causes, the Large Truck Crash Causation Study sampled 963 crashes involving 1,123 large trucks (tractors pulling semi-trailers and trucks carrying hazardous materials) and 959 motor vehicles. This sample was drawn from a pool of 120,000 fatal and injury-causing truck accidents occurring over a single 33-month period. The study found that truck driver error was a critical reason causing the accident in 87% of total crashes. Read on to learn more about common truck driver errors most likely to result in serious personal injury crashes, and contact the truck accident attorneys at Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP, if you have been injured in a truck accident in Whittier or surrounding areas.

Common types of Truck Crashes

The Large Truck Crash Causation Study looked at three major types of events that were prevalent in 90% of the truck crashes studied. These “critical events” included:

• Running out of the travel lane into another lane of traffic or off the roadway (32% of truck accidents)
• Losing control of the truck, such as by going too fast for conditions or due to a shift in improperly loaded or overloaded cargo, equipment failure or other reason (29% of accidents)
• Rear-end collision (22% of truck crashes)

Types of Driver Error Responsible for Truck Accidents

As with drivers of any motor vehicle, leading causes of truck accidents include fatigue, alcohol intoxication, speeding and distracted driving. In the big rig study, additional major reasons included both prescription drug use and over the counter drug use, as well as failing to stop when required. The study grouped “driver critical reasons” for truck crashes into four major categories:

• Non-performance – The driver fell asleep or became physically disabled or impaired due to a health emergency or physical condition
• Recognition – Distracted driving or inattention, whether driver was distracted by something inside or outside of the truck, such as a phone or instrumentation, or simply failed to observe the situation at hand for some reason
• Decision – Driving too fast for road, weather or traffic conditions; following too close; misjudging the speed of other vehicles
• Performance – Panicking, overcorrecting or under correcting, losing control of the vehicle. These mistakes can cause a tractor-trailer to jackknife, roll over, leave the roadway or swerve into oncoming traffic.

Our Whittier Truck Accident Attorneys are Here to Help

At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP our dedicated and experienced Whittier & Arcadia truck accident attorneys are here to help if you have been injured in a serious Whittier truck accident caused by a semi-truck driver’s negligence, fatigue, distracted driving or other error. We know how to investigate a truck accident and build a strong case for the truck driver’s or carrier’s liability.

For instance, we know that truckers frequently violate the FMCSA hours of service rules limiting how long a truck driver can be on duty or behind the wheel before taking a break. We also know that some drivers falsify their records and logs to hide their noncompliance with federal safety rules.

We’ll bring facts like these to light to firmly establish the liability of the trucker and trucking company. More importantly, we understand how a serious injury can impact your life, and we’ll work to create a compelling case that thoroughly documents the money damages owed to you. Our attorneys professionally litigate your case until a satisfactory settlement can be reached, including going to trial as necessary to get you an outstanding result.

For help after a serious truck accident in Whittier, call Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP at (562) 698-6446 to speak with a dedicated and successful Whittier & Arcadia accident attorney.

Related Links:

• Common Causes of Whittier Truck Accidents
• Rollover Crash Results in Fatal Injuries for Riverside Man
• Drug-Impaired Driving Overtakes Drunk Driving as Cause of Fatal Car Accidents in the U.S.
• How an Accident Attorney Can Help You
• The Important Role of Evidence in Proving your Personal Injury Claim
• How Often Are Semi-Truck Driver Violations A Factor In California Crashes?